[metapost] solving equatiosn with metapost

[Aditya Mahajan]

On Wed, 20 Mar 2013, Yogeshwarsing Calleecharan wrote:

> Hello,
>          I am interested in Metapost's ability to solve equations. Consider 
> this code "second.mp":
>
> a/b=(a+3)/(b+8);
> a=-3;
> show a,b;
>
> When I run the code, however I get mistake(s):
>
> mpost second.mp
> This is MetaPost, version 1.504 (kpathsea version 6.0.1)
> (mpost.mp (c:/texlive/2011/texmf-dist/metapost/base/plain.mp
> Preloading the plain mem file, version 1.004)) (./second.mp
>>> a
>>> b
> ! Not implemented: (unknown numeric)/(unknown numeric).
> <to be read again>
>                   =
> l.1 a/b=
>        (a+3)/(b+8);
> ?
>
>
> I would be grateful if someone would let me know:
>
> (a) what I am doing wrong with this code?

MP can only solve *linear* equations.

8a = 3b;
a=-3;
show a,b;
end;

> (b) Say if the code is fixed and run well, what Metapost command to put after 
> show a,b; so that Metapost exits normally because it seems that I get a * if 
> the code runs well and then Metapost is still awaiting for some other 
> command(s)?

end;

Adiya